SPORTS BRIEFS

MDX CAGE LEAGUE MEETING TODAY

Organizers of the 2005 MDX Amateur Radio Club Inter-Color Basketball League would be holding its final organizational meeting at 6pm today at the Filipino Community Center on the ground floor of the Nauru Building in Susupe.

MDX president Bong Malasarte reminded all eight teams to send representatives at the meeting, which would also serve as the deadline for the submission of final rosters and entrance fees.

This year’s edition of the cagefest is set to get underway beginning July 10, Saturday, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The participating teams are led by defending champion Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense, 2004 United Filipino Organization Basketball League champion Visminda, Saipan Ice & Water 20th Anniversary Basketball League champion Diamond Fixers, Micronesian Brokers, Samahan ng Manggagawang Filipino, Cabalen, Subway, and Mobil.

For more information on the 2005 MDX Amateur Radio Club Inter-Color Basketball League, contact Malasarte at 235-9151 or email him at bong@mdx-radio.net.

ROTARY CAGING KICKS OFF JULY 7

The 2005 Saipan Rotary Summer Youth Basketball League is scheduled to tip off on July 7 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The first game would feature powerhouse teams San Antonio Sixers I and Ol’Aces at 6pm.

Other teams included in the 2005 season of the 18-and-under league are Sixers II, San Antonio, Hoops, Breeze, Garapan Rollers I, II, and III, Matansa Sparks, Bwibwis, Saints, Junior Nationals, and the Southern Sonics.

Organizers are reminding team managers and coaches that a player listed on the team roster must not turn 19 years old before Sept. 30, 2005.

They also reiterated the importance of coaches attending a coaching clinic to be held every Saturday at the Ada Gym from 9am to 12pm.

Organizers are also giving teams up to July 6 to submit the $100 entrance fee, age verification documents, and waiver forms. Teams who fail to pay the entrance fee will not be allowed to play.

For more information on the Rotary caging, contact coordinators Elias Rangamar or Jovie Omar at 664-2502.

MARIANAS CUP STARTS JULY 15

The 3rd Annual Marianas Softball Cup is tentatively set for July 15 to July 17 at the Tan Ge Softball Field at the Oleai Sports Complex.

Tournament coordinator Bob Guerrero is reminding would-be participants that there will be a meeting next Thursday, July 7, 5:30pm in the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

For more information about the Marianas Softball Cup, contact Guerrero by calling 285-7261, 664-6070, or 235-1580.

KING OF THE DIAMONDS RETURNS ON JULY 16

The 2005 King of the Diamonds would be held on July 16 and 17, and may possibly be extended to the following weekend depending on the number of teams participating.

Organizers said all teams are given until July 15 to register and pay the required $100 entrance fee. All players must be at least 18 years of age and there is no limit to the number of players in a roster.

The champion of the Saipan leg would compete against titleholders from Guam and Palau in the King of the Diamonds Grand Finale in Palau on Nov. 10 to 14.

Organizers are also reminding all participating teams to send a representative at the rules meeting set for July 13 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room. The meeting will be called to order at 5:30pm.

Interested teams can register at MARPAC in Gualo Rai. For more information, contact Newman Techur at 234-0173 or MARPAC.

TOC SET FOR AUG. 6 AND 7

The 2005 Tournament of Champions would be held on Aug. 6 and Aug. 7 at the LaoLao Bay Golf Resort.

The $200 early-bird registration fee is up to July 29 and after that it goes up to $225. No entries would be accepted after 5pm of Aug. 3.

The TOC features competition in the Championship Flight, A Flight, B Flight, C Flight, Senior, Super Senior, Ladies Low Gross, and Ladies Low Net.

At stake are cash and in-kind prizes as well as a year’s worth of bragging rights. First-place winners receive $600, second place $500, third place $400, fourth place a DVD player, and fifth place $100 DFS merchandise coupon.

Top three finishers in the Ladies Low Net competition will also receive trophies.

Also, the names of the top winners of all flights, except the Ladies Low Net, will be raffled to determine the 2006 participant in the Johnnie Walker Classic, which will be held in Perth, Australia in February 2006.

For more information on this year’s TOC, contact Rodney Klinge at 236-2590, 285-6604, or 233-1891, or Ben Babauta at 236-2563, 285-2563, or 233-1891.